The specialist told in which psycho-emotional state the residents of Lviv Oblast and forced migrants are now.
The establishment of consultation and coordination centers in all districts of Lviv Oblast, which was initiated by the Lviv OVA, helps to more effectively provide psychological assistance to forced migrants living there. The task of the KCC is to provide information on where to get the appropriate range of assistance, and to coordinate international organizations where this assistance is most needed.
During a briefing at the “Ukraine” media center, a member of the “Medical-Psychosocial Assistance” working group, coordinator of the “Mental Health for of Ukraine” by Orest Suvalo.
“Mental health and psychosocial support is an important aspect that is timely. And interaction with both the health sector and the social sector is very important, because without meeting basic needs (housing, food, safety measures), it is very difficult to provide assistance.
Lviv OVA signed a Memorandum with 28 international organizations. Their representatives communicate with the heads of the KCC in all districts of the region. A schedule is being formed and psychologists, who are representatives of international organizations, work in the KCC according to the schedule, and provide assistance on the spot,” said Orest Suvalo.
He also noted that the survey of IDPs in the KCC showed that there is a part of people who need crisis psychological help or psychological counseling. In accordance with requests, a referral is made to a specialist or to a narrower specialist, if there is a request, for example, for psychiatric care.
“We know that the response to stress has three stages: tension, adaptation and exhaustion. From the point of view of mental health, the residents of Lviv Oblast and the forced migrants who arrive here are going through the second and third stages of the stress reaction, closer to the second stage.
A few days ago, the Ministry of Health published a sociological survey, where you can see that there are still resources. But in reality, our resources are running out, both psychological and internal. Therefore, we should know where to look for support, where to look for help and not be afraid to ask for it. Because winter is coming, difficult times are coming, evacuation is coming. The strength of specialists is also running out, and we must unite to better respond to the needs that exist in society,” Orest Suvalo emphasized.
If you want to become a volunteer at the advisory and coordination center in your area or your organization wants to join the partnership and become an agent of positive changes in the communities of Lviv region – write to the e-mail: medpsysocial.aid@gmail.com
If you are an IDP, you can register for a consultation and a request for assistance at the following link: https://cutt.ly/PC42hJw